2008 Subaru Impreza Brake Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  316%
• 25k–50k
  211%
• 50k–75k
  632%
• 75k–100k
  316%
• 100k–150k
  421%
• 150k+
  15%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Problem began with a squeaking sound and would click when depressing clutch. Then the clutch pedal would stick and not come back up. Clutch pedal unable to completely engage making it difficult to get the car into gear. Movement in clutch/brake pedal causing hazard while driving due to displacement. Welds in clutch/brake assembly at the firewall are broken.

On nov. 20, 2008, flatirons Subaru and Subaru of America sold me a new 2008 Impreza wrx sti with defective brakes. On dec. 15, 2008, while commuting to work I was involved in a car accident. I pushed down the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to engage (the brake pedal was hard). As I was driving cautiously, no one was injured and no other vehicle, except mine, suffered damage to the front headlight. The car was less than a month old had fewer that 650 miles on odometer. The service department inspected the car on dec. 17, the service representative told me that brake vacuum booster hose valve was defective. The dealer's service manager in refusing to accept any responsibility wrote to me stating the problem is intermittent that only occurs in extreme cold weather, and Subaru performs most of the inspections at the factory on new cars. …

There started to be a clicking / squeaking sound when depressing the clutch. Brought the car to multiple dealerships to diagnose the problem without any answers - they continued to apply lubricant. Made it to 106,000 miles on the original clutch, had it replaced as routine maintenance with the goal of the sound going away. The sound and clicking continued, yet the car continued to drive normally. At the time of clutch replacement, the entire pedal assembly moved as one unit when depressing the clutch - this continued to be an undiagnosed problem (yet the car continued to drive normally). Brought car to dealership for routine maintenance, again complained about the noise - was informed about the firewall weld issue being the cause for the noise. Firewall welds were replaced without cost to me. Upon picking up the car, the squeaking and clicking noise was still present. …

My 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx has had a "hard clutch pedal". Im an auto tech at a dealer so I took a look at it. I checked the spring and the pedal. I found the pedal would bend the mounting location under the dash when pushed in. I looked on the firewall under my wiper arms where the welds are at. The weld that holds the clutch and brake pedals to the firewall is cracked and now is cutting a hole in the firewall. I checked online for some help with the problem, and I found out im not the only one with this problem. I took the car to my local Subaru dealer. The dealer told me I needed a clutch. I ask them to look at the firewall welds that hold the clutch and brake pedals to the car. They told me to go away and not bring my car back to them! I called Subaru of America after this all happened. They told me to take it to another dealer. So I did to one " 3 hours away ". …

Subject: possible car recall Subaru imreza - in this model basic brake mount snaps comments due to road safety and the possible serious threat that could be caused by cars on roads in the U.S. I'd like to provide the following information. The case concerns Subaru Impreza manufactured in 2007 and 2009. These cars May have a faulty basic brake mount, which can cause it to snap . The design and strength of the fastening elements turns out to be unsuited to the prevailing tension. Many such vehicles are on the roads in the U.S. And pose a direct threat to human life. Because I am a user of one of these cars (Subaru Impreza wrx VIN [redacted] ) and have personally experienced such a case, I am in possession of all documentation. On your request I will send any information on the car and the event along with photographic documentation. …

I own a 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx with a stock clutch. For approximately 2 years I have been hearing creaking and/or clicking noises when engaging the clutch pedal. In April of 2013 chatham Subaru in ga replaced my clutch due to the metal clutch fork wearing through at the pivot point within the bell-housing. They also noted a very hard clutch pedal and spongy brakes before the repair. They replaced the clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, fork and master cylinder (I replaced the slave cylinder before I brought it in) all of which I paid for. Initially the clutch felt great (brake feel was unchanged), but has since began to harden again. I began to look online for a solution and found that there are spot welds that break between the firewall and the mounting bracket the clutch pedal assembly is attached to (https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=wrx+spot+welds). …

This 2008 Subaru Impreza has been plagued as have many others by a manufacturer chassis defect. The firewall/bulkhead between the driver and engine has 5 spot welds broken which initially are meant to secure the clutch and brake assembly. These weld breaks are a serious safety issue as they are causing difficulty in engaging clutch and brakes, as well as a squeak noise every time the clutch is depressed. As this is not an insignificant wear item but part of the chassis/frame which is a dangerous defect as complete failure during operation of the vehicle can cause catastrophic accidents, further investigation and action on this matter should be taken by the NHTSA. This is certainly a recall issue.

This 2008 Subaru Impreza has been plagued as have many others by a manufacturer chassis defect. The firewall/bulkhead between the driver and engine has 5 spot welds broken which initially are meant to secure the clutch and brake assembly. These weld breaks are a serious safety issue as they are causing difficulty in engaging clutch and brakes, as well as a squeak noise every time the clutch is depressed. As this is not an insignificant wear item but part of the chassis/frame which is a dangerous defect as complete failure during operation of the vehicle can cause catastrophic accidents, further investigation and action on this matter should be taken by the NHTSA. This is certainly a recall issue.

For several months now on my wife 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx when the clutch is depressed I have heard a cracking/squeaking noise. I brought it to a mechanic and he told me that he sees the firewall flexing when the clutch is beginning to engage. It looks as if the welds on the firewall are cracked and no matter what parts he changes it will not fix the problem that is why it is hard to get the car in gear and will eventually break completely. We looked online and this is a common problem with this car, dealerships are changing several parts and nothing will fix this safety issue. This is most definitely a manufacturer issue and should be recalled since it is a major safety concern.

Front wheel shimmy that increases stopping distance and effects handling. Shimmy comes and goes in intensity but is always present. Shimmy causes the wheel and rotor to shake which prevents the brake pads from stopping the vehicle as intended. This problem caused me to run a stop sign and almost get broadsided by another vehicle. The shimmy still exists and has not been fixed despite complaining about the problem to Subaru and the Subaru dealer. Subaru acknowledged there is a problem and stated that there is an axle balancing problem or a bearing run out problem, but has yet to fix the problem.

Related recalls

Brake complaints in other Impreza years